Community Spotlight
AMBASSADOR
GIVES BACK TO SCHOOLS , COMMUNITY
By Hana Papaco
COORDINATOR OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
Schools in Redding , Connecticut , and its surrounding towns have been the beneficiaries of USA Pickleball ’ s Youth and Collegiate Grant Program , thanks to USA Pickleball Ambassador Kim Becker . She has spent the past six months connecting with schools in her community and assisting them with the grant application process .
Becker has been involved in pickleball for more than nine years and became an ambassador in June 2021 . Since then , she has made an impact in the community and has created not only more opportunities for play but also more places to play . Becker is a certified instructor through the Professional Pickleball Registry and the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association and loves teaching and introducing people to pickleball . Within the past two years , she ’ s worked with more than 100 students … and counting .
In August 2022 , Becker discovered the Youth and Collegiate Grant Program through USA Pickleball , which awards qualifying schools or after-school programs $ 350 worth of equipment . She started reaching out to local physical education teachers to provide grant information and offer support , since one of the grant requirements is a USA Pickleball Ambassador endorsement .
“ I thought the grant program was such a cool opportunity ,” Becker says . “ I offered to teach the teachers and the students for free .”
Becker has introduced pickleball to more than 100 students and community members and wants to encourage other ambassadors to do the same .
USA Pickleball Ambassador Kim Becker has actively worked with 15 + schools across Connecticut , assisting them with grant applications .
While some schools initially were hesitant , others jumped at the opportunity , knowing that pickleball has been growing in popularity among youth .
Since starting the outreach process , Becker has helped more than 15 schools across Connecticut receive the grant . Although most of this work has been done in her home state , traveling does not stop her from spreading the word about grants . She has also assisted programs in Georgia and South Carolina with applications .
In addition to helping schools receive funding for their physical education programs , Becker has also helped her town create more courts to accommodate the sport ’ s increasing popularity . After hosting a fundraising tournament , she was able to gain the support and funds to revamp the town ’ s 45-year-old tennis courts . Her efforts helped the town create four dedicated tennis courts and construct lines for eight temporary pickleball courts . Becker also was able to convince leaders of the Town of Redding to use funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act to create two dedicated courts to be built this spring .